Consultancy firm EY has said that FM Arun Jaitley should provide more funds for development of infrastructure sector even at the cost of missing the fiscal deficit target.

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley should provide more funds for development of infrastructure sector even at the cost of missing the fiscal deficit target of 3.5 per cent in 2016-17, global consultancy firm EY said today.

"The fiscal pressures next year are excessive arising out of Pay Commission recommendation. Given that, a marginal slippage of 0.3 per cent in deficit target can be advocated, but the excess amount should be spent only on infrastructure," EY Chief Policy Advisor D K Srivastava said.

The fiscal consolidation roadmap laid out by Jaitley had estimated fiscal deficit to come down to 3.9 per cent in current fiscal and further to 3.5 per cent next fiscal. It was 4 per cent last fiscal.

"The current year target of 3.9 per cent will be met. But the way the global economy is performing, a minor slippage is permissible. A pre-decided target of 3.5 per cent would put extreme pressure on the government and pay commission burden cannot be absorbed," Srivastava added.

The 7th Pay Commission in November recommended increase in remuneration of about one crore government employees and pensioners which is estimated to impose an additional burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore in 2016-17. The new pay scales, subject to acceptance by government, will come into effect from January 1, 2016.

Releasing an analysis of the economic, tax and policy scenario in India, Srivastava told reporters that the Indian economy would face headwinds of negative growth in exports for the next 3-4 years and the government should create domestic demand by increasing capital expenditure.

"There is a global churning that is happening and exports growth will continue to be shut for the next 3-4 years. Its a medium term pressure that Indian export sector would face," he said, adding that the present focus should be on creating jobs within the country.

He added that even if the government deviates from the fiscal consolidation roadmap, if the growth stays in the projected level and food prices remain within control then the RBI could look at lowering rates in April.